Improved machine for attaching teams to farming implements



H. A; COOK.

Whiflietree. I No. 50,908. Patehted Nov. 14,.l865.

[7a Warez fa zfiw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY A. COOK, OF HILLSDALE, NEW YORK.

IMPROVED MACHINE FOR ATTACHING TEAMS T0 FARMING IMPLEMENTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 50,908, dated November 14, 1865.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY A. 000K, of Hillsdale,in the county of Columbia and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Draft Attachment for Farming Implements; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description of the nature, construction, and operation ofthe same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, which form partof this specification, and in which- Figure l is a plan of a single-tree with my device applied. Fig. 2 is a plan of the device as adapted for use in connection with oX-yokes and implements in which the draft device is attached directly to a clevis or chain.

My invention relates to a draft attachment for plows, eultivators, harvesters, and other farming implements, and is intended to prevent damage or breakage in the event of coming in contact with obstructions. This is accomplished by adapting the point to which the draft-power is applied to yield and undergo a forward movement independently of the machine when resistance to the latter occurs in consequence of coming against a stone, stump, or some immovable obstacle.

The object of my invention is to increase the facility for applying such device to animplement, and to provide a contrivance superior in point of simplicity and better adapted for the purpose specified than those previously devised.

The following description will enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to fully understand and use the same.

I will speak first of the parts represented in Fig.1. Aisasingle-tree, havingthe trace-hooks F F atits ends, as usual. In using the device as here shown, the single-tree is attached to the farming implement by means of the staple C, the rear end of which hooks overaclevis. The arms or prongs of the staple project forward of the axle and contain between them a cylindrical rubber spring, 13, which is confined to its place by a central bolt, designated by E L. This bolt also passes through a bar, 0, placed transversely to the spring B, and serving as an abutment for the latter at its forward end. The bar 0 is held upon the ends of the prongs of the staple C by nuts D D. The holes in the single-tree through which the arms of the staple pass are large enough to allow the said single-tree to slide upon or independently of the staple, in which case the rubber spring is compressed between the whiffletree and bar 0. The pointof draft or single-tree is thus allowed to yield or spring forward when the machine is momentarily retarded by obstructions. The implement is by this means prevented from having any of its parts or gearing brokeii, being relieved of the shock which it would experience under the continued strain of the draft.

In Fig. 2 the stapleis represented by G, and the rubber spring K is held between a slide, J, and a transverse bar, H, both of which are fixed on the staple. The central retaining bolt or screw, It, is hooked at its front end, as shown at I, and the device in the modified form given in this figure is adapted for use in such implements as the common plow, an oxteam, &c., where the whiffletree is not employed. When the machine meets with an obstruction the slide J advances and the spring K is compressed between said slide and the piece or bar H. By means of the nut or the end of the screw E L or R the spring is compressed to a degree to prevent it from yielding when the machine meets with ordinary or harmless objects.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

The combination of the rubber spring compressed between two transverse bars, the temper-screw for regulating the elasticity of said springs, and the attaching-staple and hooks or rings, all arranged to operate as and forthe purposes described.

HENRY A. COOK.

Witnesses:

LEVI ZEH, LESTER GROAT. 

